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9. Service
WARNING
: Technological advances have made bicycles and bicycle components more
complex, and the pace of innovation is increasing. It is impossible for this manual to provide
all the information required to properly repair and/or maintain your bicycle. In order to help
minimize the chances of an accident and possible injury, it is critical that you have any repair
or maintenance that is not specifically described in this manual performed by your dealer or
local bike shop. Equally important is that your individual maintenance requirements will be
determined by everything from your riding style to geographic location. Consult your dealer
or local bike shop for help in determining your maintenance requirements.
WARNING
: Many bicycle service and repair tasks require special knowledge and tools. Do
not begin any adjustments or service on your bicycle until you have learned from your dealer
or local bike shop how to properly complete them. Improper adjustment or service may result
in damage to the bicycle or in an accident that can cause serious injury or death.
If you want to learn to do major service and repair work on your bike, you have three options:
1. Ask your dealer or local bike shop for copies of the manufacturer’s installation and service
instructions for the components on your bike, or contact the component manufacturer.
2. Ask your dealer or local bike shop to recommend a book on bicycle repair.
3. Ask your dealer or local bike shop about the availability of bicycle repair courses in your area.
Regardless of which option you select, we recommend that you ask your dealer or local bike shop to
check the quality of your work the first time you work on something and before you ride the bike, just
to make sure that you did everything correctly. Since that will require the time of a mechanic, there
may be a modest charge for this service.
A. Service Intervals
Some service and maintenance can and should be performed by the owner, and require no special
tools or knowledge beyond what is presented in this manual.
The following are examples of the type of service you should perform yourself. A qualified bicycle
mechanic using the correct tools and procedures specified by the manufacturer should perform all
other service, maintenance and repair in a properly equipped facility.
1. Break-in Period: Your bike will last longer and work better if you break it in before riding it hard.
Control cables and wheel spokes may stretch or “seat” when a new bike is first used and may require
readjustment by your dealer or local bike shop. Your Mechanical Safety Check (Section 5) will help
you identify some things that need readjustment. But even if everything seems fine to you, it’s best to
take your bike back to the dealer or local bike shop for a checkup. Dealer or local bike shops typically
suggest you bring the bike in for a 30-day checkup. Another way to judge when it’s time for the first
checkup is to bring the bike in after three to five hours of hard off-road use, or about 10 to 15 hours of
on-road or more casual off-road use. But if you think something is wrong with the bike, take it to your
dealer or local bike shop before riding it again.
2. Before every ride: Mechanical Safety Check (Section 5)
3. After every long or hard ride: if the bike has been exposed to water or grit; or at least every 100
miles: Clean the bike and lightly oil the chain.
Wipe off excess oil. Lubrication is a function of climate. Talk to your dealer or local bike shop about
the best lubricants and the recommended lubrication frequency for your area.
4. After every long or hard ride or after every 10 to 20 hours of riding:
• Squeeze the front brake and rock the bike forward and back.
Everything feel solid? If you feel a clunk with each forward or backward movement of the bike, you
probably have a loose headset. Have your dealer or local bike shop check it.
